Sheffield City Council installed large grey bollards outside the town hall and Pinstone Street as "additional security" over the Christmas period. The barriers have been criticised for lacking Christmas cheer, so the authority has invited people to make them look "more festive."

Councillor Jim Steinke said it was a "sad state of affairs" that the blocks were needed. He added: "If we have to then we may as well jazz them up a bit. We can have another unveiling, sort of like the Christmas lights."